The essentials of the Spanish GP

If they meet on the street, they will think they have nothing in common. Two seemingly different people, from different generations, who met yesterday at Circuit at the request of MD. They greeted each other with a big smile. and it is that they know that in reality they are both part of the same family. They are two of the important things without them it is not possible to celebrate for the 32nd consecutive time the Spanish F1 GP sa Montmelo.

We specify Joseph Benito (2-12-1941, Barcelona) and Gisela Perea (30-04-2004. Llicà d’Amunt). Josep, 80 years old, is the example of the love that Catalonia has always had for the motor. Gisela, 18, is the generation that came up with the drive to pick up the baton. They are two of 289 officials this weekend are key to the proper development of Spanish F1 GP The youngest of all the volunteers. And the oldest. These are the extremes represented by the people who from yesterday to tomorrow will gather days under the sun, unselfishly to make the Spanish GP successful.

Josep began his career inside the machine in the 60s, including Penya Biker 10 X Hours. “I was the technical secretary who created the first edition of the international Costa Brava Rally”, he proudly recalls, explaining some of the roles he has performed since then, featuring various Spanish F1 GP who lived as a timekeeper in Montjuic during the Jackie Stewart, Bruce McLaren or Graham Hill. At the time he had all the curator’s licenses, but he had to put aside his passion when he left Barcelona for work reasons. When he retired, back in Sant Cugat, the motor family called him again and he did not hesitate to accept.

It’s been 15 years since Josep missed his appointment to the Montmeló track trials. For several years, specifically at the Spanish GP, he did so as technical commissioner at F2 and F3 parc fermé. No one can enter the ‘parc fermé’ without your permission. And at 80, he spends a lot of time there for one simple reason: “I’m still having fun.” For that reason, and consequently he found many friends from the past. Now, he doubts if next year, with 81 springs, he will continue. And if it leaves him, he knows he will miss the second home. His wife, his daughter and his grandchildren are not restrained: “My family already knows me and they know this is my passion,” he says with a laugh, while giving it great importance, especially the sports commissioner.

Exactly, Gisela is this weekend, in her debut at the Spanish F1 GP. When you see F1 drivers go straight, find out he’s there, at the 0.8 checkpoint, before the first corner. His father, Antonio Perea, is the control leader and has been on the circuit for 18 seasons. “Since I always see him coming to CircuitWell, I saw the opportunity and decided to become an officer ”. Your work this weekend is important and your responsibility is overwhelming. The function of waving the flags rotates when there is any danger and he should be aware of anything happening on the track. It should even jump to help drivers if one stops or collides at that point, something for which it is prepared and examined.

Yesterday he was on the Circuit from 6:30 am to 8:00 pm all day wearing a fireproof suit, in the sun and intense heat while he was with his friends. “Friends tell me:“ Back on the circuit? ”“ I do it because I like it and because it’s my hobby, ”he clarifies, taking advantage of the loudspeaker to remember the importance of officers’ work. “Without us our security work would not be possible. People may not know that there are track officers present and important to the career. “Gisela pointed out.

“I want to stay here for many years,” he added. And Josep reminded him, like his grandson, to put on sun cream. “I will tell Gisela to be very attentive to what she is doing and have fun, because otherwise, she will only catch a sunstroke. They have a dangerous job and they do it very well ”, said Josep, happy to see that young people are taking the testimony of so many like him with energy and enthusiasm.